A Poem about Renewal

Renewal

frozen limbs bound in fear

eyes too dry for anymore tears

my heart lies latent in my chest

hoping, longing for endless rest

where are the dreams of days gone by

was it all some cruel perverted lie

can i move from this coffin skin

will my iced soul ever live again?

pain within, pain without

too parched my voice to release a shout

all that moves in this locked cage

is the glimmer of fire known as rage

where are the dreams of days gone by

was it all some cruel perverted lie

can i move from this coffin skin

will my iced soul ever live again?

explosion within, shattering these bonds

screams of life, demanding a new dawn

i will live, this day again will be

found zeal for life for i've been freed

here are the dreams of today my friends

laughter and wonder as this drama ascends

playing a part, living again

freed for the journey, ever to begin

freed for the journey, freed for this quest

living again to discover the rest

Truth's guided quest, a path of delight

ever onward, strive for the light

here are the dreams of today my friends

laughter and wonder as this drama ascends

playing a part, living again

freed for the journey, ever to begin

On Hiking the Grand Canyon

I spent a few days hiking at the Grand Canyon a few years back. I penned these words from the experience.

These Walls

These walls, these cascading rocks of harden earth, earthen toned history revealing centuries of the never ending dance between water and stone, hold me in awe. Is not this chasm grand in span and even grander yet in spirit, for it calls not only for all that the body can give it while every muscle screams for relief and each sinew claims finality. This brilliant abyss wants for the release of more, the conquest of ones very being, the devouring of all spirit. Give to it this, this measure of your existence, all body and spirit and therein, perhaps therein, weary traveler of this land, you might just discover more of who you are, or more complete still, you and I may just become more, more complete, more wonder-full. These walls can caress the very earthen vessel of humanity and breathe again into us, a vital wisp of that delicate mixture of earth and water and their waltz through eternity.

A Glimpse at My Weekend

Yes.

Yes. I'm back from my weekend at the historic Grove Park Inn.

Yes. I saw President Obama as we walked down the hallway.

Yes. I delivered a devotional message to a few hundred Rotarians at the Grove Park Inn.

Yes. I enjoyed the vistas and expanse of the NC mountains.

Yes. I am tired and looking forward to returning to 'normal' starting now.

Fun Coincidence - Opportunity?

I've been debating this post, and decided (obviously) to write it.

Last year I spoke at the Interfaith Service for the Rotary District 7690 annual conference at Myrtle Beach, SC. My message was received very well and I was asked immediately by the incoming District Governor if I would commit to speaking again this year. I accepted.

As it happens, we are convening this weekend at The Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC. I'll be speaking Sunday at the Interfaith Service. Last week it was announced that President Obama and his family would be vacationing this week in NC and staying at - you guessed it - The Grove Park Inn.

Currently, I'm plotting on how I can maximize this coincidence to make me famous, or at least create a superb memory. I mean there will no doubt be only a wall or two between me and The President of The United States. That has to be an opportunity - I just haven't figured out exactly how...YET!

Brookgreen Gardens Series - Chapter 3, Women

Two beautiful statues depicting women adorned separate sections of the large sculpture meadow at Brookgreen Gardens. Both are shown below. The first is a work in memory of a young woman who volunteered at an asylum. Her untimely death prompted the artist to capture her compassion and joy.  the second piece is a modern representation of women. There is no interpretation of the work provided and I'll leave it to you to create your own from the experience of the art.

Brookgreen Gardens Series - Chapter 2, Love Poem

I believe part of the magic, the power of Brookgreen Gardens is the remenants of the intense and intricate love between two creative souls:Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington.

We get a brief and beautiful glimpse into the love they has for each other in one of Archer's poems, "Dedication." Written to and about Anna Hyatt Huntington it is now repserved in marble in the wall of Oak Allee'.

Dedication

To those whose joyous smile across the haze

Of weariness would flood with light these days

And fold the valley of our journeying

Even in the silvery dawn of spring

To you my heart as might a sunlit sea

Welcomes your soul, ship of my destiny!

With you in splendor past all dreams desire

I found a world lighted by love's true fire.

-Archer M Huntington

Brookgreen Gardens Series - Chapter 1

One of the best kept secrets in South Carolina is Brookgreen Gardens. This antebellum estate setting, now the home of outdoor statuary, towering live oaks and pristine gardens has a history dating back to 1931. Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington, founded Brookgreen Gardens, a non-profit 501(c) (3) garden museum, to preserve the native flora and fauna and display objects of art within that natural setting.
Brookgreen Gardens is a National Historic Landmark with the most significant collection of figurative sculpture, in an outdoor setting, by American artists in the world. Brookgreen has the only zoo accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums on the coast of the Carolinas.

I grew up less than 20 miles from Brookgreen Gardens. In the mid 1960's, my mother would retreat to this quiet setting to reflect and heal spiritually following the untimely death of my father. Finding a special place of both natural and artistic beauty she later made this place a regular destination for her family - my sister, brother and me. The statues towered above us and the trees stretched out above us, offering us inspiration and shelter for all of the maladies of the often noisy and mundane chores of life. I grew up in the embrace of these gardens and there is no place I know that captures such a rich resource of art (poetry, sculpture, architecture, landscape), nature (200 year old oaks, giant azalea plants with palm size flowers, Spanish moss, native flora and fauna) and history (tales of the developing South, rice plantations, early trade, the beginning of ethnic diversity).

One of Anna Hyatt's pieces that resides in my mind is "Jaguar." One of a pair of sculptures in bronze, this depiction of a life size beast, poised to jump always captured my attention as a child. It still does.

Brook Green Garden Series - Prelude

This past Saturday I went to Brook Green Gardens, one of my favorite places on the planet. I have much to share with you in picture, word and reflection over the next few posts. So, visit the link to the website and enjoy the photo above - much more to come.

Some Green Worth Sharing

Let's Hear It for Green

I wandered in the woods off the Blue Ridge Parkway one spring and found this place. Now this is some green worth celebrating.

No need to ask, "Where's the green in that?" (see previous post).